Oregon Department of Justice

Attorney General John Kroger is warning about identity thieves using the swine flu outbreak to scam consumers.

Scam emails may include links to bogus health Web sites that seek to obtain private financial information that identity thieves can use to rip off consumers. The email scams may also include viruses.

Do not open emails from unknown individuals or organizations. Do not click on links to Web sites from an unknown source. Do not open email attachments from unknown individuals or organizations.

Attorney General Kroger recommends that consumers only visit legitimate Web sites for health information about the swine flu such as The Department of Human Resources or the Center for Disease Control.